SOFITEL HAIKOU, FAIRMONT SANYA HAITANG BAY, RAFFLES HAINAN CLEAR WATER BAY AND SOFITEL SANYA LEEMAN RESORT WILL EACH INTRODUCE A SERIES OF CREATIVE DISHES WITH LOCAL INSPIRATION AND A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
Accor has introduced the “88 Bites Sustainable Food Journey” – a new program celebrating the rich and diverse food culture of Hainan Island while demonstrating the delicious possibilities of sustainably produced cuisine. The first phase of the program has now launched at Sofitel Haikou, where the culinary team has introduced 22 creative dishes featuring sustainable ingredients and locally sourced products from Hainan Island. In April, Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay will introduce another 22 dishes; followed by Raffles Hainan Clear Water Bay in July; then Sofitel Sanya Leeman Resort in October. Together, the four hotels will introduce a total of 88 dishes, designed to inspire guests and visitors to rediscover and fall in love with the flavors and abundance of Hainan Island. Pullman Sanya Yalong Bay Villas & Resort and Pullman Oceanview Sanya Bay Resort & Spa, will also get into the spirit and offer a selection of the 88 Bites on their menus throughout the year.
“The sustainability of China’s precious resources and most beloved places, such as Hainan Island, is essential in our efforts to preserve the environment for generations to come. Accor strongly believes in being a force for good among our communities, contributing to their tourism, development, and ecological well-being,” said Gary Rosen, CEO, Accor Greater China. “Through the 88 Bites Sustainable Food Journey, not only are we introducing fantastic new food experiences; we are leading the way with environmentally responsible behaviors that will inspire our guests, our culinary teams, and the hospitality industry on Hainan Island.”
Raffles Hainan Clear Water Bay
(left); Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay (right)
As a leading hotel operator on the island with some 10 hotels ranging from ultra-luxury to economy, plus dozens of projects in development, Accor is set to double its presence on the island over the next few years. From safeguarding the natural environment around its hotels to supporting the health and integrity of the island’s food chain, Accor is committed to the conservation of nature and the resources of Hainan Island, with a sustainable business model that aims to lower carbon emissions, reduce food waste, and shift consumer mindsets.
To create the 88 Bites Sustainable Food Journey menu, Accor assembled a team of 22 culinary stars from their Hainan Island hotels. The highly talented chefs brought a wealth of diverse experience to the table, with Chinese, pan-Asian, and western cooking backgrounds, entrée expertise and pastry acumen. The result was not only a brilliant and innovative menu to be discovered by guests throughout the four seasons of 2024, but also a powerful exchange of culinary creativity, sharing of best practices, and industry leadership.
Sofitel Haikou (left); Sofitel
Sanya Leeman Resort (right)
Led by Director of Culinary, Blair Ding, Sofitel Haikou kicked off the first 22 Bites menu on January 19, 2024. Each extraordinary dish reflects a story and a connection to the local culture of Hainan. Sofitel Haikou is renowned for its refined and understated sense of modern luxury and is highly rated by visiting guests and locals-in-the-know for its sophisticated and creative versions of classic comfort foods.
Fairmont Sanya Haitang Bay will introduce a next round of 22 Bites in April. Under the direction of Executive Chef Miller Chen, the menu will draw inspiration from the luxurious resort’s seaside views of Haitang Bay. Natural hues of local ingredients, combined with creative plating, will evoke the charm of coconut palm-lined shores, with a clever taste experience of sea and land flavors.
In July, Executive Chef Jack Chen will lead the Raffles Hainan Clear Water Bay team with a new round of 22 Bites. Raffles brings its legacy of gastronomic excellence and authenticity of experience, delivering a sense of emotional luxury through exquisite preparation, ingredients harvested from their own garden oasis and the surrounding Lingshui County, with seafood freshly caught from the shores of Clear Water Bay.
The final round of 22 Bites will come in October, when Sofitel Sanya Leeman Resort launches its menu, under the guidance of Decha Chunhakhantarot, Executive Chef. Here the culinary team is known for masterfully blending the best of local Hainan traditions with Sofitel’s signature sense of art de vivre, to create innovative dishes and a truly unique food experience for guests.
Pullman Sanya Yalong Bay Villas
& Resort (left); Pullman Oceanview Sanya Bay Resort & Spa (right)
Eighty-eight dishes will be introduced by the four hotels, 22 dishes at a time, at four intervals throughout the year. These unique dishes will be served as à la carte features, incorporated in special menus, or as part of select culinary experiences. They will also be available on the menus at the two Pullman hotels in Sanya. This allows guests, travelers, and locals to enjoy the diverse flavors of the 88 Bites Sustainable Food Journey throughout the island, and throughout the year. By experiencing the amazing creations of the 88 Bites program, guests and visitors will be inspired to embrace sustainable food choices for their own day-to-day lives, with a new appreciation for how locally sourced foods and eco-friendly methods can lead to a more enriched and nourished sense of well-being.
